Disclaimer: I own nothing. The events and characters are owned by Jim Henson, David Bowie, and everyone else that 35 years ago created this masterpiece. That does not mean I don't enjoy barrowing them for my own purposes. Alas none of them money making.
A/N: This fic was written in response to the LFFL Labyrinth Anniversary Writing Challenge: write a story of at least 3,500 words, through the perspective of Toby during the events of the movie.
Ok I first want to say that this kind of prompt was one that I always avoided. For some reason it excited me, about halfway in I remembered that this is not my favorite kind of story to write. So I hope it makes sense. While I wrote this I had the movie streaming on one tab, and a transcript of it on another. I tried to be careful with the order of the action. If I messed something up I apologize. I tried. Also I did not use a beta for this, so I hope that my grammatical errors, because I know there are probably some, aren't too distracting.
Here is a little explanation to hopefully make reading it easier.
I chose to write it in chapters rather than a one shot. They are short chapters to be sure, but I was able to write it easier thinking of it in three sections. If the chapters bug you I'm sorry.
The words in bold face are the action that is happening in the movie. Since it is through Toby's perspective he was not there witnessing most of it. The bold face helps I hope with keeping time with the movie events.
The words in standard type are description, action, or dialogue that Toby would be witness to. This is what is going on around Toby. Since Toby was not seen through most of the movie I took literary license with what I thought might be going on. This part worries me the most.
The words in the italics are what Toby is thinking or "saying". I tried to make him fun, and a little annoying. Some of it I think went well, others well I'm not as sure of.
Chapter 1
Sarah Williams is playing pretend in the park reciting lines from her book for an audience of two her dog Merlin and a very interested barn owl. The clock chimes and Sarah realizes she is late. She runs home with her dog.
Robert and Karen Williams are getting ready to go out to dinner. They are waiting for Robert's fifteen year old daughter Sarah to come home. She agreed to babysit her brother Toby.
I'm hungry! Listen up some of us need to eat on a regular schedule, don't you remember what the doctor said. I'm a growing boy. Dad what are you doing don't put me down. Give me to mom. Maybe she will have the sense to feed the crying baby.
Robert turns and instead of putting his son Toby into his highchair he gave him to his wife. Going to the phone in the kitchen he called the restaurant and pushed back their reservation while he warmed a bottle for the baby.
Well at least someone has some sense. Come on mom move me to the food room. Dad has my bottle in the food room.
Once Robert hangs up the phone he grabs the bottle and heads over to Karen to take Toby. As he starts feeding his son he hears his wife talking to his daughter who just came in.
Finally the girl is here. She at least listens when I cry. Not that she knows what she is doing, but it is fun to watch her scramble to try to get me to stop. I wonder how long it will take until she blows her top tonight. Give me that bottle dad. No don't talk to Sarah give me the bottle. Oh good the girl is running upstairs. Well if you are going to talk to her dad give me to mom to finish the bottle.
Robert hands Toby and the bottle to Karen who finishes feeding him. She takes him upstairs and puts him in his crib.
Mom you know I hate this thing. It's not bad enough that you dress me in stripes like a convict; you have to put me in a cell with bars too. Get out of here. If you leave and I cry enough the girl will pick me up and get me out of here.
Robert and Karen leave. Both children can hear the door as it closes. Sarah in her room and Toby is still in his crib.
Get me out of here! Hey Sarah! I know you can hear me! Get in here and get me out of this thing! Hey here is Sarah's bear. Maybe he can go get me help. Fly Lancelot fly!
Toby throws the bear with all his might. He landed two feet away from the crib. Nothing else happened. Toby stares at the bear in disbelief.
Why aren't you moving! Get Sarah! Move it bear! Oh, you are worthless! Sarah! Sarah! Come here and get me out, Sarah!
Sarah comes into the room frustrated with Toby's crying. She asked him why he is crying. Did he want to hear a story? Sarah begins telling the story of the Labyrinth.
What's wrong? Are you out of your mind! I've only been yelling for the last forever to get me out of here. No! Did I say anything about a story? What is wrong with you? Can't you understand anything? Hey, great idea. Wish me to someone else. Maybe I can get out of this cell then. Maybe the goblins can understand me since you obviously can't. Do I need to yell louder?
Sarah finally picks Toby up and rocks him, only to lay him back down in the crib.
Yes! Finally, you can listen. Now let's go. Out the door and downstairs and entertain me. Sing, dance, eat, let's have a party! What? NO! Don't put me back behind bars. I'm not tired! Don't turn off the light…Hey who are you guys?
The goblins come to take Toby away to the castle. Sarah is confronted with the goblin king. He takes her to the hill outside the Labyrinth. Sarah agrees to his terms and starts her journey. Sarah meets Hoggle and the worm. She realizes that her marks are being turned, and she has to answer the riddle at the doors. Sarah falls and with the help of the "helping hands" into an oubliette.
Toby finds himself in a large room with a circular pit in the middle. He is standing in this pit. All around the room goblins and chickens are moving here and there, making a cacophony of noise. The only furnishing he can see is a large curved chair.
Who are you? Where am I? Where is Sarah? When my big sister gets here you guys are going to get it? She is bigger than you guys she will beat you up!
Toby hoped what he said was true. Sarah was not always the nicest to him. But he was sure that she wouldn't like these creatures taking him away from home. Her big sister instincts would kick in, right? It's not like she wanted someone to take…him…away…Oh no.
Suddenly a tall man Toby had never seen before appeared. He was dressed in black and had a cape with glittery blue inside. He had long blond hair, almost as long as Sarah's. Would he yell words that would make his mom mad if he pulled it like Sarah did? Was this guy his new babysitter? He didn't look like any of the other babysitters his mom got when Sarah couldn't be bothered with him. With a wave of his hand, the babysitter changed into gray pants, a white shirt, and a black vest. His clothing choice is nothing like dad wears, but not any weirder than some of the stuff Sarah wears.
The babysitter, I don't know what else to call him, sits down on the chair and loops his leg around the side. Mom would throw a fit if anyone sits on our furniture that way. Well now that there is a grown-up, I guess, let's get me happy.
Hey you. Big guy. Get me out of this pit. I should not be here. The floors are hard, there are sharp edges, have you never heard of baby proofing? Isn't someone supposed to be entertaining me!
After sitting on the throne for a while contemplating things the goblin king was getting a bit fed up with the crying. Since the goblins were unable to entertain the lad he would have to take matters into his own hands. Well when you want something done right, don't have a goblin do it. After grabbing and throwing a goblin Jareth launches into song.
Ok, that's different. Mister you better not try to throw me like that. Do you know who my dad is? Hey, where is that music coming from? This place has a great sound system. Is this surround sound? Now, this is how you keep someone entertained. Let's boogie.
What do you mean I'll be yours? Your what? Hey, now what are you doing picking me up like that…ahhhhh. Ok, mister that was fun but scared me too….ahhhh. A little warning before you step away and expect someone else to catch me. Hey mister you are a pretty good dancer. Let's do that again. Well, I got the show now all I need is dinner.
Toby stops crying after the song. Jareth is quite pleased with himself. He is feeling so superior that he decides that now is a good time to check up on Sarah and watch her progress. After Jareth magically changes himself into an all-black ensemble. He twists his wrist and a crystal ball appears. He rolls it along with his hand and balances it on his fingers. Goblins crowd around it to see, but it is still visible to everyone in the room including Toby who watches on along with the goblins.
The crystal clears and shows Sarah in a dark place. Jareth explains that she is in an oubliette. This seems to worry him. Toby is less concerned.
Hey, big guy if you can change your clothes that easily how about getting me out of these stripes? Hey, that's Sarah in that bubble. Hi Sarah! What is she doing in there? It seems dark? Is she in time out? She deserves to be in time out. Did you see what she calls babysitting? How long are you going to keep her in there? Huh? How long?
Jareth disappears to tell Hoggle to lead Sarah back to the beginning. He leaves Toby in the care of the goblin horde in the throne room.
Hey guys. Does he always pop in and out like that? And what about the bubbles with pictures in them? Is that how you guys watch television? Mom doesn't let me watch television. Sarah lets me watch sometimes. She can be cool like that. You will like her when she gets here, she can be fun when she is not ignoring me or being annoying.